The Protestant Reformation (1450-1565)

Reformation Europe (Late 16c)

Key Events Prior to the Reformation 1054 – Byzantine patriarch and Pope excommunicate each other – 1st schism 1073 – Pope Gregory VII claims pope’s authority is extended over all Christians 1095 – Pope Urban II call for Crusades on the Holy Land 1252 – Inquisition – Holy Office – deal with heretics 1378-1417 – The Great Schism King Philip of France and allies elect new pope in Avignon England and allies support pope in Rome

Influences: Printing Press Invention of movable type in 1450’s by Johann Gutenberg Manufacture of paper becomes easier and cheaper- more books More criticism of the Church – reading of the Bible – challenge of doctrines

Influences: Cultural Better educated, city people were critical of the Church Renaissance monarchs challenged the power of the Church Growing individualism

Christian Humanism Developed in Northern Europe Influenced by the new love of learning during the Renaissance If people read classics and basic works of Christianity, they would become more pious

Desiderius Erasmus Dutch Christian humanist Live good lives on a daily basis NOT just provide beliefs for salvation In Praise of Folly (1510) – criticized aspects of society Call for a return to the simplicity of the early Church Religion is inward NOT external Wanted Reform NOT to break away

The Church’s Problems – Changing Viewpoint Charges of greed Worldly political power challenged Weariness of dependence on the Church and the limitations it placed on the people Growing human confidence vs. “original sin” Catholic church becomes defensive in the face of criticism

The Church’s Problems – Internal Issues The corruption of the Renaissance Papacy --Rodrigo Borgia European population was increasingly anti- clerical Absenteeism of church leaders The controversy over the sale of indulgences

Religions in the World

The Holy Roman Empire in the 16c “Why the Germanies?”

Germany (Martin Luther) Luther troubled by the sale of indulgences Dominican friar Tetzel was selling indulgences in Wittenberg in 1517 Luther posts his 95 Theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517

Germany (Luther) Pope pays little attention to Luther at first Luther attacks the Pope verbally and in writing Luther is excommunicated (1521) Luther is summoned to court

The Holy Roman Empire New HRE, Charles V, is young and his power is threatened by the German Princes Summons Luther to appear in Court Edict of Worms – declares Luther an outlaw Frederick of Saxony sends Luther into hiding

Political Support German rulers who supported Luther took charge of Catholic Churches 1524 – Peasant Revolt – peasants looked for Luther’s support Luther sided with the nobility Luther believed State & Rulers were called by God to maintain peace to spread the gospel

Why Germany? Part of the Holy Roman Empire – Emperor Charles V (Charles I of Spain) – Hapsburg Family HRE was in consistent conflict with France and Ottoman Empire HRE made up of hundreds of small territories Local rulers supported Luther to assert their own authority 1555 – Peace of Augsburg – accepted division of Christianity in Germany – Local rulers could choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism

Luther’s Teachings Luther’s sense of unworthiness and his fear of God Salvation by Faith Alone Bible is the only source of religious truth --Luther’s German Translation of the New Testament Humans are not saved on Good Works

John Calvin John Calvin’s leadership in Geneva from 1541-1564 Geneva became the model Elements of a “theocracy” Self-discipline and “Protestant Work Ethic”

Calvin's Teachings Predestination – god has determined who will be saved and man can do nothing to change this Think of our Pilgrims Simple lives worshipping god No dancing, excessive drinking, gambling, no fancy clothing, nothing that can be considered sinful

D. France King Francis I was initially sympathetic to Luther as long as his ideas stayed in Germany Protestantism made illegal in France in 1534

Anabaptists Bitterly persecuted by both Catholics and other Protestants Beliefs Free will—all can be saved Adult, “believer” baptism Social and economic equality of all Separation of Church and State

E. Other Parts of Western Europe No Protestant inroads into Spain or Italy Protestantism succeeded only where it was supported initially by the nobility Most powerful European nations were Catholic

England Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon Henry seeks an annulment – the Pope refuses Henry establishes the Church of England Other wives of Henry VIII --Anne Boleyn --Jane Seymour -- Anne of Cleves -- Katherine Howard -- Catherine Parr

Three Pillars of the Catholic Church Papal Reform Training for priests Ended abuses Council of Trent Reaffirmed Church Teachings Index – list of books banned by the Church Inquisition – Church court that put heretics on trial Jesuits Ignatius Loyola Society of Jesus – Absolute loyalty to the Pope

VI. Results of the Reformation Germany was weakened – fighting between catholics and protestants Christian Church was split in the West 100 Years of Religious Warfare Growing doubt and religious skepticism

VI. Results of Reformation (cont) Calvinism boosted the commercial revolution Witch craze swept Europe in the 1600’s --Between 1561-1670, about 12,000 people in Europe were executed as witches Possible reasons for this witchcraft craze – traditional framework for dealing with misfortunes is gone

Catholic and Protestant Church Type: JPG